Hand Dryer Boost Converter Control for Fast Start and Low Standby Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hand dryers with boost converters experience delays in activating the blower due to the time required to boost the DC voltage, and continuous operation to ensure quick activation increases standby power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A hand dryer with a control section that includes a microcontroller to manage the boost converter, allowing it to start the boost operation only when a hand is detected and adjust the boost duration based on usage patterns, reducing standby power and activation time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the boost converter is always operated to enable quick activation of the blower, then the activation time is reduced, but the standby power is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller performs preliminary actions by detecting hand presence and prepping the boost converter for operation before full blower activation is needed. This reduces the actual activation delay while avoiding continuous operation during standby, thus balancing quick response with power savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the boost converter operation based on real-time hand detection status. The microcontroller monitors hand presence and activates the boost converter only when needed, transitioning from a static continuous operation mode to a dynamic on-demand mode, thereby reducing standby power while maintaining quick activation capability.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If the boost converter operates only when hand is detected, then the standby power is reduced, but the activation time increases due to delay in boosting voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller performs preliminary hand detection and initiates boost converter operation as soon as hand presence is detected, rather than waiting for full activation command. This preliminary action reduces the effective activation delay while maintaining the benefit of not operating the boost converter during extended standby periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system rushes through the voltage boosting process by activating the boost converter immediately upon hand detection, minimizing the time spent in the boosting phase. This approach accepts the necessary boosting delay but ensures it occurs as quickly as possible, then transitions to full blower operation.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If the hand dryer requires setting time period for boost operation, then the boost operation can be optimized, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller provides self-service by automatically detecting hand presence and determining the appropriate timing for boost converter operation without requiring user input. The system serves itself by monitoring its own operational state and making intelligent decisions about when to activate the boost converter, eliminating the need for manual time period settings while optimizing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from hand detection sensors to automatically adjust boost converter operation timing. The microcontroller continuously monitors hand presence and uses this feedback to determine when to activate and deactivate the boost converter, creating an automatic closed-loop control system that optimizes power consumption without user intervention.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The hand dryer reduces the time to start blowing air and decreases standby power consumption by optimizing the boost converter's operation based on actual usage data, eliminating the need for setting a time period for the boost operation.
Implementation Method 1
operation of the boost converter after the detection of a hand results in a delay in activating the blower because it takes a time for the boost converter to boost the direct current to a desired voltage value
Data Source
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AI summary
A hand dryer includes a housing including a hand insertion portion into which a hand is insertable, an air blower that provides an airflow to jet into the hand insertion portion, and a hand sensor (15) that detects a hand inserted in the hand insertion portion. The hand dryer includes a power supply unit (24) that includes a booster circuit (30) for boosting a DC voltage, a drive circuit (25) that receives power supply from the power supply unit and drives the air blower, and a control processing unit (26) that controls the operation of the booster circuit on the basis of actual data representing an actual result of whether a hand is detected by the hand sensor.